End of the 2025-2026 Academic Year in Northern Cyprus: Summer Holidays Begin

Today, Monday, June 15, 2026, the final school bell rang across Northern Cyprus. According to official reports, the 2025-2026 academic year, which began last September, concluded with the distribution of report cards and completion certificates in primary, general secondary, and vocational technical education levels [1].

Special Ceremony with the Minister of Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, the Minister of National Education, personally attended the report card distribution ceremony at Cumhuriyet High School. Due to earthquake risks and the reconstruction of its main building in the Geçitkale region, this high school is currently operating in the former police college building in Yeniceköy [2]. During the ceremony, Çavuşoğlu congratulated students and teachers, announcing that the reconstruction of the school's main building to international standards is nearing completion, and the final graduation ceremony will be held at the new location on June 30 [1].

Student and Teacher Statistics for the Current Year In the past academic year, a total of 57,514 students were enrolled in public and private schools in Northern Cyprus. These students, along with approximately 6,500 teachers, have now begun their three-month summer vacation [3]. According to Ministry of Education statistics, 27,481 students studied in 132 primary schools, 25,188 in 49 general high schools, and 4,045 in 13 vocational technical high schools [2].

Infrastructure Challenges and Future Outlook Despite the joyful atmosphere of the final day, some teacher unions, including KTÖS and KTOEÖS, pointed to existing challenges during this academic year. Issues such as teacher shortages, the use of prefabricated (container) classrooms in some schools, and the need to strengthen building safety infrastructure were among the items mentioned in year-end reports [4]. However, the Ministry of Education emphasized efforts to address these deficiencies during the summer.

Next Year's Academic Calendar According to the announced academic calendar, students and teachers will return to classrooms on Monday, September 14, 2026, to begin the 2026-2027 academic year after a long break [1][3]. Additionally, supplementary and responsibility exams for secondary students will be held between June 16 and 19, and entrance exams for colleges and specialized high schools will follow in the coming days of June [2].